When Siena Snow was invited to take the ACT as part of the Duke University Talent Identification Program as a seventh grader last year, her mom, Angie Snow, didn’t think much of it because Siena’s older brothers Curran and Christian had also taken the ACT in seventh grade. However, Siena’s score led her to be chosen for four additional Duke TIP honors: Gifted eStudies, Academy for Summer Studies, Gifted Center for Summer Studies, and Gifted State Recognition, which honors students who score at or above the 95th percentile. Siena, now 13, was the only student at Prairieville Middle School to receive all five honors.

Siena was able to spend part of her summer at Trinity University in San Antonio, choosing the course, “Beyond Baker Street: The Detective as Scientist in Literature and Film.” She studied fingerprinting, blood splatter patterns, improved her problem-solving skills, and she exceeded course expectations.

“She absolutely loved the whole Duke TIP experience,” Angie says. “It was nerve wracking to drop her off on a college campus in a dorm.” However, Siena leaned into her independence and wasn’t ready to leave after the three-week session. “I was happy she was having such a great time,” Angie says. “That made it all worth it.” 

Siena is interested in FBI work and being an author someday. She also takes piano lessons, has taken acting and voice lessons, likes to paint, and enjoys writing music and short stories. With her strong academics and creative side, Siena is certainly one amazing kid.

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